Buyana Stock farm to be revamped
Story by: Harriet Musinguzi. PRO .COVAB
Makerere University is committed to ensure the revamping of Buyana stock farm, the Vice Chancellor Makerere University said recently during a tour of the facility. Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe led an entourage of staff that included the University secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, officials from the Estates and Works Directorate, the Dean of Students Ms. Winnifred Kabumbuli as well as staff from CoVAB.
‘I was involved in the design of the farm. Ownership is the reason as to why the farm was not well cared for’ said prof. Nawangwe while addressing a meeting held at the farm that was also attended by the Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) Prof. Frank Nobert Mwiine, the incoming Deputy Principal Dr. Acai Ocwee and a number of heads of departments from the college.
Prof. Nawangwe said Buyana stock farm was located in the community and these expected the best out of the farm given that it is owned by Makerere University. He asked the respective offices responsible to come up with a massive plan for revitalizing Buyana as a model farm. He said focus should be put on the emergencies that included fencing off the land, working on the water supply system, as well student accommodation.
The Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) Prof. Frank Nobert Mwiine said it was important that the College and the University as a whole doubled efforts to ensure the farm gets back to acceptable levels. He announced that the college received over 5 square miles of land in Kiboga from H.E the President and stressed the importance of ensuring physical presence and utilization of the land to avoid losing University property.
Buyana stock farm continues to host Veterinary students who undertake practical sessions on the farm. Although originally planned for 29 students, the numbers have steadily increased to the current 80 that puts a strain on the facilities. The facility provides a good environment for practical training, revenue generation, outreaches to the communities as well as research.
According to Dr. Wasswa Mathias the farm manager, there were plans to improve the facility to become a center of excellence to undertake research, incubation and skilling as well as offer courses at certificate and diploma levels as well as offer ambulatory services to the surrounding community in the cattle corridor.
The meeting was also attended by the chairperson of the Buyana stock farm committee that was formed after the University handed over its management to the College, Dr. Julius Boniface Okuni, Prof. Robert Tweyongyere, Dean School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR), the Dean, School of Biotechnical Laboratory Sciences (SBLS) Dr. Claire Mugasa among other academic and administrative staff of the college.
